Theatre Is Evil
by Amanda Palmer & the Grand Theft Orchestra
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. No Ripcord
    Oct 5, 2012
    60
    Perhaps the best way to approach Theatre Is Evil is not even as an album, but rather a collection of songs--all fairly similar but often good, sometimes very much so.
  2. NOW Magazine
    Nov 8, 2012
    60
    Palmer seems intent on cramming as many ideas and textures into every song as she can, which is exciting at first but exhausting by the halfway point of an excessively long album.
  3. Under The Radar
    Sep 6, 2012
    45
    The gut-wrenching moments are too often usurped by lost wallets, Instagram photos, and tales of songs on the radio--none of which add up to anything greater than the sun of their parts. [Aug/Sep 2012, p.113]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

71
#71 Best Album of 2012

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 23
  3. Negative: 3 out of 23
  1. Tenfishone
    Sep 12, 2012
    0
    Amanda Palmer turns in a dreary, childish effort. The lyrics are nonsensical. The anger is a narcissistic demand for attention. The one thingAmanda Palmer turns in a dreary, childish effort. The lyrics are nonsensical. The anger is a narcissistic demand for attention. The one thing Amanda Palmer seems to be consistent about is to never learn about her craft. This record is completely amateur. The production values make the - drama kid freaking out and showing her poo panties- quality, even more obvious. A complete waste of time.… Full Review »
  2. DynamiteStPetes
    Dec 13, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Having been a fan of some of her previous work but never actually listening to anything from Theatre is Evil, I didn't know what to expect... I have been listening to this album for the last 3 weeks straight on my 30 minute drives to and from work... It really is THAT good.
    Theatre is Evil is a rollercoaster of screaming ballads and soft and raw emotional pieces. The album is just full of catchy songs that have me singing along and the music composition is just leagues beyond most other artists in recent memory (And yeah, this came out in 2012. Still better than most new stuff).
    Really, this album is just kickin' the entire way through.
    The lyric that hits me the most is from Trout Heart Replica, "Killing things is not so hard. it's hurting that's the hardest part, and when the Wizard gets to me I'm asking for a smaller heart, and if he tells me no, I'll hold my breath until I hit the floor. Eventually I know I'm doomed to get just what I'm asking for." Just. BEAUTIFUL.    … Full Review »
  3. scores
    Oct 30, 2013
    10
    Amanda delivers her finest album yet. It covers a wide space, but is consistently great at whatever it tries. The progression of songs is aAmanda delivers her finest album yet. It covers a wide space, but is consistently great at whatever it tries. The progression of songs is a nicely tuned rollercoaster and while a good chunk of the lyrics are not immediately clear in and of themselves, in combination with the music, delivery, and some introspection, they have more meaning than per syllable than most other albums out there.
    Amanda may be the first to admit she does not know how to sing, or at least know how to sing like some specific other people, the style grows on you and does not seem at all amateurish, quite the opposite.
    While I think the album compares favorably to earlier Dresden Dolls fare, be aware that the style has changed and expanded.
    If you buy an album today, let it be this one.    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »